Key display device



w. R. e. HAGGSTROM 3,264,462

KEY DISPLAY DEVICE Aug. 2, 1966 Filed Sept. 15, 1964 INVENTOR WAUEK A. 6. HAGGSTEOM BY KW L/ ATTORNEY United States Patent poration of Massachusetts Filed Sept. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 396,623 2 Claims. (Cl. 240-2) This invention relates to a key blank display device of the type used in key cutting establishments. More particularly, this invention relates to a key display device and key support means therefor.

Still more particularly, this invention relates to an illuminated key display board having novel selector support means for the key blanks whereby each type of variety of key blank is supported on a different support member, each of the support members being provided with individual illuminator means whereby, when a particular circuit corresponding with a particular type of blank is closed, the support means carrying said particular blank will be illuminated, readily indicating the location of the support carrying the appropriate lblank.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel key display board.

A further object of the invention is the provisionof a novel illuminated key support for use in combination with a board of the type described.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a novel key identification display board and support means therefor having particular utility when employed with a key identifier device of the type illustrated in copending application Serial No. 215,956, filed August 9, 1962, now Patent No. 3,172,969.

In the above noted application, there is disclosed a device which automatically closes a selected circuit in response to the identity of an inserted key. This device is of great utility since keys of many hundreds of differing cross-sections must be regularly stocked in locksmithing establishments and the said device enables an unskilled operator readily to determine the identity of a key submitted by a customer for purposes of duplication.

The present key display device relates to a key display board having a plurality of plastic light conductive key support members. Individual circuits lead to individual illuminating means disposed within the plastic supports. The illuminating means are opaque board. To the opposite side of such board there are projected probe-like plastic extensions, crosssectionally dimensioned to permit the latter to be inserted within the apertures customarily formed in the heads of key blanks. When the proper circuit is closed, the illuminating means transmits light along the length of the plastic member transversely through the board and to the tip of the probe-like member, thereby immediately and strikingly rendering the appearance of the illuminated key support peg or probe distinct from all others, thus enabling a key corresponding to the closed circuit to be selected rapidly.

While the hereinafter described display board is particularly adapted to be used with the automatic key identifier device of the above noted application, it will be readily understood that the device may be advantageously employed with any comparable device for closing a selected circuit corresponding to a particular key.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a display stand in accordance with the invention;

located to one side of an FIGURE 2 is a magnified section taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

In accordamxe with the invention, there is disclosed a stand 10 carried by support base 11. A board 12, preferably opaque, is supported within frame 13 made fast to the base '11. The board may be of any suitable configuration, as will be readily understood. A multiplicity of apertures 14 are formed transversely through the board. Within each of the apertures there is disposed a key support member 15 of a light transmitting plastic material. One suitable material is methyl methacrylate, which material has the property of transmitting a light lengthwise of the material even along curved paths. Other materials having the property of lengthwisely transmitting light may be suitably employed.

The support 15 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 16 extending transversely through apertures 14. A boss 17 is formed on the body portion and when the body portion 16 is passed through an aperture, the boss 17 lies adjacent the front face 18 of the display board. The support 15 is maintained in this position by the rearward application over the body portion 16 of a spllit spring washer 19 which abuts the rear face 20 of the display board 12.

Extending forwardly of the boss 17 there is an integral probe member 21, preferably of cylindrical cross-section. The cross-sectional dimension of the probe 21 is such as to permit the same to be inserted within the key ring aperture, such as is customarily formed in the head portions of the keys and key blanks 23.

The body portion 16 is preferably formed with an axially extending recess 24, and a bulb 25 may be supported within the recess 24 by a conductive spring support assembly 26. The support assembly 26 may optionally be formed of insulating bracket 27, made fast to the board and carrying the electrically conductive portions of the apparatus. These portions include conductive spring contact 28, which in the illustrated embodiment constitutes a common or ground contact, which additionally supports live or positive conductor 29.

A bulb 25, in the usual manner, includes a contact base 30, including an insulated filament terminal 31. The connections to the terminals 30, 31 of the base may be provided by the cup-shaped retainer portion 32 carried by the common connector 28 which makes contact with the terminal 30 and the insulated live terminal 33 which is carried on the spring contact 28 but electrically isolated therefrom, the terminal 33 being pressed against the contact 31 of the bulb.

It will be recognized that by the above arrangement, a bulb may be inserted or replaced by the simple expedient of backwardly flexing the spring contact 28 to a position clear of the base portion of the bulb. It will be recognized further that the suggested means for carrying the bulb 25 may be replaced by any desired bulb supporting and contact making means, such as a standard screw socket or the like. I

In use, key blanks 23 are stacked on the probe portions 21 of the supports 15, it being understood that, in the usual manner, each such probe is charged with a series of identical key blanks of a type differing from the blanks mounted on the other probes.

It will be further understood that each support includes a bulb which is individually wired so that, upon completion of the circuit through the bulb, the entire support will be illuminated. By reason of the use 01 the light conductive plastic material, the illuminated probe assumes a striking appearance and it is possible immediately to identify the specific probe carrying the desired key blanks.

Further, the spacing between the supports may be kept too close a grouping, it would be difficult to determine which support was designated by an illuminated bulb.

In the presentdevice, the probe itself, which is threaded a through the aperture in the key head, is illuminated, thus eliminating any doubt as to the designated series of key blanks.

- A further advantage in the present device lies in the provision of :the enlarged boss 17, which is disposed directly behindthe heads of-the keys mounted on the probe. of the boss 17 also appears to be illuminated, and this illuminatioin clearly silhouettes the head-of the key on the probe. Since the head shapes of keys generally vary in appearance in accordance with the type or milling of the key, the rear lighting indicating the silhouette shape is a factor which provides a double-check on the accuracy of the selection as the headshape of a proper replacement blank will closely simulate the shape of the original From the foregoing it will be recognized thatzan attractive and useful dispaly device has been provided which greatly facilitates the selection of a key blank "by reducing the -time normally required inexamining the numbers or identification markings of keys stored on a key board. Since the key support itself is illuminated, it is posible to stack groups of keys in very closely adjacency, enabling a large number of key types to be displayed within a small area.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what is claimed as new and is desired'to be secured When the bulb 25 is illuminated, the entire face In contrast, if

41 said board, a boss forming a continuation of said body portion and lying adjacent the frontiface of said board, a key support'probe extending outwardly from .saidboss, said probe being .of a cross-sectionaLdimension topermit the same to pass through the aperture defined in the head of a key blank, locking meansadjacent thezrear faceof said board engaging said fbody portion, -and illuminator means disposed in, light transmitting relationwith'respect to the=body portion:of said holder means,:

said boss serving to silhouette the headportions of keys on said probe; thereby to facilitate selection of 2a key. 2. A key blank selector devicecomprising anopaque display, board, a multiplicity of horizontally and vertica'L ly-, spaced apart: apertures in said board, a plurality of integral key blank holder means of light conductive pla's tic mounted in said apertures, said holder, means includirig abody portion extending transversely throughisaid board, a boss of greater diameter than said apertures and lying adjacent the; front face of said board,:and,a key support probe extending outwardly from said boss, key blanks supported on said probe portions. of .said

'holder means with the probe portionthereof, extending through the .key ring iaperturetof said blanks, and illuminator means on the; side OfzSflld .board remote from said probe portions for illuminating said holder means and hence said probes;

References Cited by the:Examiner UNITED} STATES PATENTS NORTON ANSHER, ,PrimaryiExaminer. EVON C. BLUNK, Examiner.

I. F. PETERS, Assistant Examiner.- 

1. A KEY BLANK SELECTOR DEVICE COMPRISING AN OPAQUE DISPLAY BOARD, A MULTIPLICITY OF APERTURES FORMED IN SAID BOARD, INTEGRAL KEY BLANK HOLDER MEANS OF LIGHT CONDUCTIVE PLASTIC MOUNTED IN SAID APERTURES OF SAID BOARD INCLUDING A BODY PORTION EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THROUGH SAID BOARD, A BOSS FORMING A CONTINUATION OF SAID BODY PORTION AND LYING ADJACENT THE FRONT FACE OF SAID BOARD, A KEY SUPPORT PROBE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID BOSS, SAID PROBE BEING OF A CROSS-SECTIONAL DIMENSION TO PERMIT THE SAME TO PASS THROUGH THE APERTURE DEFINED IN THE HEAD OF A KEY BLANK, LOCKING MEANS ADJACENT THE REAR FACE OF SAID BOARD ENGAGING SAID BODY PORTION, AND ILLUMINATOR MEANS DISPOSED IN LIGHT TRANSMITTING RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE BODY PORTION OF SAID HOLDER MEANS, SAID BOSS SERVING TO SILHOUETTE THE HEAD PORTIONS OF KEYS ON THE PROBE, THEREBY TO FACILITATE SELECTION OF A KEY. 